A Behanding in Spokane

The man behind The Lieutenant of Inishmore gives us a story about body parts - surprise

Playwright Martin McDonagh, the man behind the gruesome comedy The Lieutenant of Inishmore, loves using blood and guts onstage. And A Behanding in Spokane, the fast-paced one-act that made its debut earlier this year and is now at the Alley Theatre, is no exception. This story features a white man named Carmichael who's looking for the hand he lost in a railroad accident back in his youth. He's promised 500 bucks for a replacement hand, and Marilyn and Toby want the money. When they bring him a hand with dark skin, he asks what he's supposed to do with a hand that got cut off a "colored fella." After that, some very nasty business involving a can of gasoline, a gun and some handcuffs takes place. As usual, this stuff is not for the faint of heart. 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; 2:30 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Sundays. Through September 26. 615 Texas. For information, call 713-220-5700 or visit www.alleytheatre.org. $21 to $55.